Gardeners Calendar - Summer
1. Summer Watering 2. Containers 3. Feeding 4. Planting 5. Lawn Care 6. Fruit & Vegetables
By midsummer the garden plays an important part in our lives. It acts as an outdoor room, an extra space for living and a place to enjoy the summer weather. For avid gardeners the summer garden is often the high point of their hard work, the borders are filled to bursting with colour and drama and it’s a wonderful place to spend any spare time.
For new gardeners the summer can be a challenge. The garden still remains a wonderful place to be but there remain many questions about how to water, when to feed and what needs doing to make the garden look more beautiful, grow more healthily and be a greener space overall. All the staff at Woodcote Green are fully trained to answer your garden queries. A huge percentage of the plants on sale are grown on site, so you are talking to experts that grow and nurture plants all year round. The most important thing to do this summer is to ensure that you take time to enjoy your garden and all your hard work. If you are just starting then make an effort to have morning coffee or and evening drink outside so you can appreciate the shape and potential of your garden and observe where you want colour, and where is the best place for a patio or a garden screen. If you need help choosing plants and getting ideas then drop in to the plant sales area at Woodcote Green, you’ll find friendly, helpful staff ready and waiting to assist you.
Summer Watering
In hot, dry weather the garden plants can quickly start to show signs of stress. If your plants are not established then their roots may not have reached down to the water table so they will need supplementary watering in dry weather to support their growth. Check them daily and water them as soon as they show signs of stress, or before if possible. There are plenty of watering gadgets, timers and automatic watering systems available for sale from Woodcote Green.
Option 1 - The ‘Classic T 1030’ Gardena Water Timer, retailing at £34.99. The detachable face panel allows for easy,
simple programming. This model will have automatic control of sprinklers, micro – drip and pop – up irrigation systems.
Option 2 - The ‘Comfort C 1030+’, retailing at £59.99. This includes on screen instructions for simple programming, with a detachable control panel and a large, clear display for easy reading. Includes functions for automatic operation of sprinklers, drip irrigation and pop-up irrigation systems.
Option 3 - Gardena 15m soaker hose, retailing at £24.99. This specially designed hose allows for accurate, water saving
irrigation of plant rows and flowers beds, as well as having adjustable pressure and flow rate options.
It is important to ensure you are adding the correct amount of water, if the soil is dry even a ‘good soaking’ may only soak into the top inch of soil. It is better to really soak the garden soil around affected plants once a week than to superficially water them daily. If you constantly wet the soil surface and no deeper then it will encourage roots to grow in the top layer of the soil, these will be more susceptible to exposure to the sun and also to frosts in the winter. Water your plants in the evening when the sun has started to go down. If you water in bright sunlight much of the water will evaporate before it reaches the plant roots and you also risk scorching plant leaves. By watering in the evening you allow time for the water to really soak into the soil where it is needed and for the roots to take up this precious moisture. Alternatively water early in the morning before it gets hot.
Containers
Plants in containers are even more susceptible to drying out and in very hot weather may need watering more than once a day. Move them into a shady spot, group them together to make it easier to water them and place them near a waterbutt where you can access water easily. Remember that rainwater is better for your plants than tap water so make sure you have several water butts set up in the garden to capture this precious resource. Woodcote has a good range of water harvesting products in stock all year round.
Feeding
Many gardeners never feed their plants and never see the full potential of their garden. Most plants will survive without supplementary feeding, but it’s a bit like expecting your family to live on bread and water.
There are two main ways to feed your plants. By improving the soil and adding generous quantities of well-rotted garden compost, farmyard manure or soil condition you provide a very healthy and supportive environment for plant roots. At Woodcote Green you can buy a huge range of quality, nutrient rich soil conditioners and plant foods to be added to the soil.
New! Rootgrow Rootfeed. This is natural plant nutrition and activates the soil, which will in turn release nutrient reserves stored away, creating a bioactive environment which will feed and support your plants throughout the duration of their life time.
Retail price £9.99.
However unless you are stating a new border now, or you are planting new trees, shrubs and perennials when you can add this rich organic matter to the soil as you plant, it is better to apply these ‘soil foods’ in autumn, winter and spring. During the summer your garden plants will be growing very vigorously and can be fed using a variety of plant foods available on the shelves at Woodcote Green. For an instant boost, especially useful for ailing plants, choose a liquid feed that can be applied to moist soil around the plant roots. These are either in a powder form that is dissolved into the watering can and applied directly, or in a liquid form that is diluted and applied in a similar way.
Usually these feeds are applied weekly or fortnightly, check the label for instructions. You can tailor your choice of plant food according to the plants that you grow. Bedding plants, tomatoes, beans and other plants that produce a lot of flowers need a fertiliser rich in potash (K) such as Phostrogen Plant Food or Westland NutriFeed.
Option 1 - Miracle Gro all purpose soluble plant food. The formula provides plants with essential nutrients, which are required for optimum growth and flowering, making this an ideal candidate for feeding your plants with. Once fed, the plants will develop a strong root system, become more resistant to drought and will therefore be greener and growing quickly within weeks. Retail price £2.99 in our Price Cut range of products..
Option 2 - Sulphate of Potash. Sulphate of Potash, part of our Westland plant food range, is a high potassium feed which is suitable for fruit and flowering plants. It comes ready to use in an easy to pour, resealable container. Retail price £3.49 for 1.5kg.
Leafy vegetables such as spinach, lettuce and other salad crops as well as foliage plants need a fertiliser rich in nitrogen to support healthy leaf growth. Choose a product formulated for this purpose such as:
Option 1 - Sulphate of Ammonia. Part of our Westland plant feeding range, this is a rapid source of nitrogen for leafy vegetables. Retailing at £3.49 for 1.5kg, this easy to apply feed comes ready to use and in a resealable container.
Option 2 - Vitax Soluble Fertiliser 500g. Promotes strong healthy leaf growth on herbaceous ornamentals, herbs and architectural and other foliage plants both in the garden and home. Retail price £2.99.
If time is limited or you are not able to feed your plants weekly or fortnightly then consider a long term fertiliser that can be added to the compost now and will slowly release vital plant nutrients to the plants for the next few weeks. There are lots of slow release and controlled release fertilisers available as granules that can be gently worked into the soil above the plant roots or added to the planting compost.
Option 1 - Miracle Gro slow release all purpose feed. This granular feed releases tiny amounts of feed each day, ensuring plants are not short of balanced nutrients for up to 6 months. Can be used on flowers, fruit and vegetable trees, containers, baskets and bedding. This type of feed also comes in ericaceous or rose, tree and shrub form as well. Retail price £4.99.
Option 2 - Miracle Gro slow release tablets. The tablets are placed just under the surface of the soil, and release miniscule amounts of feed on a daily basis, allowing for a less frequent feeding schedule. The tablets come in packets of 33, and the retail price is £3.99.
If you’ve never fed your garden plants then here’s a challenge. Plant up two identical containers or small areas of the garden with the same plants. Feed one container and don’t feed the other one. You’ll be amazed at the difference and we’d love to hear how you get on. Email us some images and tell us what you found.
Planting
When planting during the summer months it is essential to plant properly and to make allowances for hot and dry weather. Plants grown at Woodcote Green are already acclimatised to the local conditions and what’s more they have been properly fed, pruned and nurtured so that they establish quickly and easily into your garden soil.
It is important to keep the root ball moist when planting. Soak the whole pot in a bucket of water overnight or at least for a few hours to ensure the compost around the roots is sufficiently moist, this will help your plant and its root ball merge with the surrounding soil. Once you’ve planted them you need to keep the root ball moist so that the roots can grow into the surrounding soil. To give your plants the best possible start plant them into a hole twice the size of the root ball and enrich the soil at the base and around the sides of the hole with a quality planting compost.
Firm more compost in around your plants to ensure good contact between the root ball and the surrounding soil and water in immediately. This will wash compost into any small spaces that have formed and keep the root ball in contact with the garden soil. You may need to top up the compost. It’s a good idea to build a donut shape in soil around your new plant with the raised sides running around the plant. When you water this will hold any run off over the root ball and allow it to soak into the soil where it is needed, rather than run off elsewhere. It conserves water and makes sure that the water you use works harder.
You do need to keep your plant well watered, but you also need to encourage it to put down roots to get its own water. It is better to really soak the plant once or twice a week than to water it superficially daily. Where possible use rainwater, it is much better for plants than tap water.
Lawn care
During the summer the lawn is subjected to a variety of stress factors and needs support to continue to look its best.
When the weather is warm and humid the lawn will be actively growing and needs cutting once or even twice a week. As the temperature rises and the ground dries out the growth will slow and if it gets very hot the lawn may even go brown. Don’t panic if this happens, unless your lawn is recently laid turf it will almost always recover without additional watering. Newly seeded or turfed lawns should be watered thoroughly about twice a week in the evening to ensure the water soaks down into the soil to encourage deeper roots to form. Mowing the lawn regularly removes the top layer of growth and takes away nutrients from the soil and the plants. You can replenish this by using a lawn tonic or summer lawn feed. You’ll find a range in the sales area at Woodcote Green. Westland 'After-Cut' is an easy way to a greener lawn; it feeds the roots, making the grass stronger, thicker and lusher. This has improved drought tolerance, therefore unlike most lawn products; there is no need to water it in after an application. Retail price is £5.99 per 100 sq m box, or £7.99 for a 100 sq m spreader and £12.99 for a 400 sq m bag.
Weeds can be treated with a dedicated lawn weedkiller; don’t be tempted to use a garden weedkiller, as this will kill the grass. You can buy a spot weeder for lawns or use a triple action produce that feeds, weeds and kills moss but make sure you follow the instructions carefully for the best results.
Option 1 – Verdone Extra Liquid Lawn Weeder gives season long treatment with just one application. This child and pet friendly product kills many weeds but not the lawn, making it the perfect solution for lawn weed control.
Option 2 – Evergreen Complete Soluble. If you want complete lawn care, then this is the one for you. This unique, water – on product is designed to rid your lawn of moss and persistent weeds, as well as give you a visibly greener lawn within just 24 hours. Retail price £4.99 per 40 sq m box.
Keeping the lawn well cut and neat and tidy can transform the rest of the garden. Neat lawn edges are easy to achieve with the right tools. A garden spade will create a wavy effect, but you can find half moon edging tools at Woodcote Green that will quickly and easily create a very straight effect. Edging shears will keep the grass along the edge of the lawn neat and tidy.
Fruit and vegetables
One of the most exciting aspects of the garden in summer is its productivity in terms of fruit and vegetables. If you grow your own you’ll have been harvesting salad and early crops for weeks or even months now. Chances are you have a few tomato plants, some runner beans and one or two courgettes, not to mention some soft fruit, a few apple trees and a row or two of potatoes.
These plants are all heavy feeders and need plenty of water in very hot weather to continue cropping. Don’t waste water, but if your plants are wilting and showing signs of stress then water them in the evening very thoroughly. Use rainwater where possible.
To keep a good crop of beans and courgettes going you need to continue to pick them as they form, pick them young when they are juicy and succulent and freeze any surplus. Harvest potatoes when the plants start to flower and dig them up, as you need them. Pick tomatoes and any soft fruit as it ripens.
Continue to sow salad crops every two to three weeks to ensure a crop right into the autumn and make sure you feed your vegetables with a suitable fertiliser. Many fruit and veg growers choose to grow organically. There are plenty of organic and natural plant foods available on the shelves at Woodcote Green.
Miracle Gro organic choice fruit and vegetable plant food. This organic fertiliser guarantees more fruit and vegetables from your plants. An application can feed for up to 2 months, allowing for a less intensive feeding regime. Made from 100% natural ingredients, this product also improves garden soil fertility. Simple, as well as safe, this product is children and pet safe.
The best bit about growing your own fruit and vegetables is that the flavour of freshly picked produce is fantastic. It’s also healthier and fresher than anything you can buy in the supermarket. Don’t waste a single sprout, freeze, bottle, jam or dry any surplus so that you have plenty to eat over the winter months too.